Repositionable endoluminal support structure and its applications

Abstract

A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame, a valve component, and an actuation mechanism. The frame has a plurality of struts interconnected by a plurality of joints and is movable between expanded and compressed configurations. The valve component is inside the frame and has a plurality of leaflets. The actuation mechanism has a first expansion element coupled to the frame at a first location and a second expansion element coupled to the frame at a second location. The actuation mechanism is configured such that moving the first expansion element and the second expansion element toward each other in a first direction results in the frame moving from the compressed configuration to the expanded configuration, and such that moving the first expansion element and the second expansion element away from each other in a second direction results in the frame moving from the expanded configuration to the compressed configuration.

1 . A support apparatus implantable within a biological lumen, comprising:
 a plurality of elongated strut members interlinked by a plurality of swivel joints, wherein the swivel joints cooperate with the stent members to adjustably define a shaped structure between a compressed orientation and an expanded orientation.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuation mechanism to urge the swivel joints within a range of motion. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a swivel joint forms a scissor mechanism with a first strut member and a second strut member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the strut members are arranged as a series of linked scissor mechanisms. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a prosthetic valve coupled to the shaped structure. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the prosthetic valve comprises:
 a first structural member coupled to the strut members;   a second structural member rotatable relative to the first structural member; and   a plurality of pliable valve members connecting the first structural member with the second structural member such that rotation of the second structural member relative to the first structural member urges the valve members between an open and a closed state.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the rotation of the second structural member is responsive to the natural flow of a biological fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the prosthetic valve includes a plurality of pliable valve leaflets having commissures at the intersection of two strut members. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the prosthetic valve includes a skirt material coupled to the strut members. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaped structure is one of a cylindrical, a conical, or an hourglass shape. 
     
     
         11 . A medical stent implantable within a biological lumen, comprising:
 a plurality of elongated strut members, including a first strut member and a second strut member; and a swivel joint connecting the first strut member and the second strut member.   
     
     
         12 . The stent of  claim 11 , wherein the swivel joint forms a scissor mechanism with the first strut member and the second strut member. 
     
     
         13 . The stent of  claim 12 , wherein the swivel joint bisects the first strut member and the second strut member. 
     
     
         14 . The stent of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of strut members is arranged as a series of linked scissor mechanisms. 
     
     
         15 . The stent of  claim 11 , wherein the swivel joint interconnects a first end of the first strut member with a first end of the second strut member. 
     
     
         16 . The stent of  claim 11 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism to exerting a force to urge the strut members about the swivel joint within a range of motion. 
     
     
         17 . The stent of  claim 11 , wherein the strut members are non-linear. 
     
     
         18 . The stent of  claim 11 , further comprising a prosthetic valve coupled to the strut members. 
     
     
         19 . A prosthetic valve assembly implantable within a biological lumen, comprising:
 a support structure, comprising a plurality of elongated strut members interlinked by a plurality of swivel joints, wherein the swivel joints cooperate with the stent members to adjustably define a shaped structure between a compressed orientation and an expanded orientation; and   a prosthetic valve connected to the support structure.   
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising an actuation mechanism to urge the swivel joints within a range of motion.